Crème Anglaise Vs Fraîche: Is There A Difference? (2024)

A Riddell

·3 min read

There can never be too many different kinds of cream, but it's certainly true that there are a lot, and that sometimes their differences are so subtle that it gets confusing trying to tell them apart. Eyebrow raisers range from trying to figure out the difference between double cream and heavy creamto learning that canned cream and squirty cream are, in fact, the same thing. It's just a weird (but accurate) British naming convention.

Let's add some European flair to the trivia. What about crème fraîche and crème anglaise? Translating the names from the original French helps a little bit: crème fraîche means "fresh cream", which is nice and obvious. However, "English cream" offers no help at all.

The difference between the two dairy products is pretty stark, in actuality. Crème fraîche is similar to sour cream (but not actually sour cream asthere's still a difference there). The "anglaise" in crème anglaise also makes a lot more sense when you realize what it is. Basically, it's custard.

Read more: 16 Little-Known Facts About Salt

What Is Crème Anglaise And How Do You Use It?

Crème anglaise is made by blending milk and/or cream with eggs, then gently heating the combination on the stovetop until it thickens. Once it reaches its ideal consistency, a day in the fridge finishes the cooking process. It's typical to add a sweetener tocrème anglaise as well like vanilla pods, lemon juice, or caramel. Vanilla is the most common, though.

One of the key facets of crème anglaise is that it is usually utilized in sweet foods. For example, like any good custard, crème anglaise is at its best when poured over the top of a cake or other type of pastry.

For that truly English feel, get stuck into a sticky toffee pudding or a sponge cake that's swimming in this light, creamy custard. Alternatively, if you've used vanilla in your crème anglaise and have an ice cream machine or churner handy, you could turn your crème anglaise into vanilla ice cream.

Elevate Your Meals With A Spoonful Of Crème Fraîche

Crème Anglaise Vs Fraîche: Is There A Difference? (2)

Compared to crème Anglaise, crème fraîche is a lot more versatile. You can use it to elevate savory dishes like soups, pasta sauces, and scrambled eggs. Crème fraîche can also fluff up your cheesecake, mousse, or frosting. One of the biggest differences betweencrème fraîche andcrème Anglaise is thatcrème fraîche usually starts with unpasteurized cream.

According to the Larousse Gastronomique, crème fraîche is created when "a lactic bacteria starter has been added [to cream] which thickens the cream" (via Kendall Farms). We don't all have a dairy processor out back but luckily all you need to make crème fraîche at home is cream and buttermilk. By combining the two in a jar and placing the mixture in a dark, cool area for 24 hours, you can emulate the fermentation process through the introduction of lactic bacteria present in the buttermilk.

Once you've waited long enough to allow the mixture to separate, ferment, and become crème fraîche, it's time to open up your jar, give it a mix, and add great dollops of it to just about anything you like. With this knowledge, you can expertly applycrème fraîche andcrème Anglaise to elevate your dishes.

Read the original article on Mashed.

Crème Anglaise Vs Fraîche: Is There A Difference? (2024)

FAQs

Crème Anglaise Vs Fraîche: Is There A Difference? ›

The difference between the two dairy products is pretty stark, in actuality. Crème fraîche is similar to sour cream (but not actually sour cream as there's still a difference there). The "anglaise" in crème anglaise also makes a lot more sense when you realize what it is. Basically, it's custard.

What is the difference between crème fraîche and crème anglaise? ›

You can use it to elevate savory dishes like soups, pasta sauces, and scrambled eggs. Crème fraîche can also fluff up your cheesecake, mousse, or frosting. One of the biggest differences between crème fraîche and crème Anglaise is that crème fraîche usually starts with unpasteurized cream.

How is crème fraîche different than sour cream __________________ and ___________________? ›

Creme fraiche is thicker, richer (see: fat content), and less tangy than sour cream, and since it won't curdle if you boil it, it's great to use in soups and sauces.

What's the difference between creme pâtissière and crème anglaise? ›

What's the difference between crème anglaise and crème pâtissière? Crème anglaise has a similar composition to crème pâtissière, but doesn't contain cornstarch or flour. It's therefore more liquid and less thick. It's possible to turn a crème anglaise into a crème pâtissière.

What's the difference between cream and crème fraîche? ›

The main difference between Cream and Crème FraÎche is that the former is made from the higher-fat layer that appears on top of the milk, while the latter is a type of Cream that is made after fermenting the Cream. It is done so by using lactobacillus, a kind of bacteria.

What is the American version of crème fraîche? ›

Sour cream (which has less fat) is the best and easiest substitute, but it's not as rich or tangy as crème fraîche. Full-fat plain Greek yogurt is another substitute, but it doesn't have the same smooth texture or mild flavor.

What is the English equivalent of crème fraîche? ›

Crème Fraîche Substitute: Sour Cream

Sour cream is the most common substitute for crème fraîche, since both have a slightly sour taste and are cultured.

What is the difference between crème anglaise and Bavarian cream? ›

Bavarois, otherwise known as bavarian cream or creme bavaroise, is a type of sweet, velvety custard dessert. The base for bavarois is crème anglaise, which is thickened by adding egg yolks, sugar, vanilla, and cream or milk.

What is the difference between crème anglaise and crème brûlée? ›

All custards are set using low, gentle heat. However, they fall into one of two categories: stirred (cooked on the stovetop) or baked (set in a water bath in the oven). Crème anglaise, pastry cream, mousse, and pudding are stirred; flan, crème brûlée, and pots de crème are baked.

What is the English name for crème anglaise? ›

Crème anglaise (French: [kʁɛm ɑ̃glɛz]; French for 'English cream'), custard sauce, pouring custard, or simply custard is a light, sweetened pouring custard used as a dessert cream or sauce. It is a mix of sugar, egg yolks, and hot milk usually flavoured with vanilla.

What is the point of crème fraîche? ›

What Is Creme Fraiche Used For? Because of its high fat content, creme fraiche does not curdle when boiled, which makes it ideal to use as a thickener in sauces and soups. Creme is also used as a finishing touch for sauces and soups, or spooned over fruit or warm desserts such as cobblers.

What do the French call crème fraîche? ›

Crème fraîche (English pronunciation: /ˌkrɛmˈfrɛʃ/, French pronunciation: [kʁɛm fʁɛʃ], lit. "fresh cream") is a dairy product, a soured cream containing 10–45% butterfat, with a pH of approximately 4.5.

Is mascarpone the same as crème fraîche? ›

How Do Mascarpone and Crème Fraîche Differ? Mascarpone and crème fraîche, a French cultured cream, share a rich, creamy consistency. However, crème fraîche is more acidic and has a 30-percent fat content (compared to 50 to 85 percent fat content in mascarpone), which results in a lighter, thinner cream.

Is crème fraîche just sour cream? ›

Sour cream may contain thickening agents like gelatin or polysaccharides to create a smooth texture, while creme fraiche's fermentation process naturally produces a thicker texture than sour cream. Plus, sour cream has a tangier taste than creme fraiche, which has a rich and creamy taste.

Are clotted cream and crème fraîche the same thing? ›

The main difference between clotted cream and crème fraîche is their method of production. Clotted cream is made by heating full-fat milk until clots form, while crème fraîche is cultivated with bacteria, the same way that cultured dairy products like yogurt and buttermilk are.

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